The Oscar race is about to get real now that David O. Russell's crowd pleaser "Silver Linings Playbook" is hitting theaters. The satisfying film stars Bradley Cooper at his all-time best and Jennifer Lawrence on form. Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" has proved more devisive among critics, who praise the lavish costumes and cleverly theatrical set, but also cite a lack of chemistry and depth from the leading players.

Also arriving this weekend are acclaimed documentaries "Chasing Ice," about the stunning and worrying melting of Artic glaciers; and "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God," about pedophilia in the Catholic church. Indies "Price Check" and "Funeral Kings" are also in select theaters. Reviews, trailers and more below:

Comments

Anna Karenina is truly a cinematic experience. WOW! Is all I have to say. I absolutely do not understand why the reviews are divisive. As Peter Travis said, let Anna Karenina work its strange and exciting magic on you. Film critics are always bemoaning the lack of challenging and inventive movie making. When they are confronted with something that excites the imagination, however, they lash out like jilted lovers. A massive contradiction, if I ever did see one. We need new voices in the world of film criticism because this old age rigid mentality is not cutting it anymore.

With that said though, Keira Knightley is receiving career best reviews with strong mentions from Time, Rolling Stone, Esquire etc I really do hope she snags a nomination: the performance is truly an actress at her zenith, tackling such a prickly and unlikable character with fearlessly. It would be a shame with AMPAS resorted to good but safe picks like Helen Mirren in Hitchcock and Naomi Watts' excessive actressing in The Impossible. Reward Keira with a nomination; she's earned it.